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- Public Domain
Salesmanship and psychology instruction for gun dealers.
Shotlist
INSTRUCTION IN SALESMANSHIP, PRESENTED FROM THE STANDPOINT OF ONE MAN'S EXPERIENCE.
Salesman points to easel with these signs:
"Don't Sell the Steak; Sell the Sizzle."
"Don't Write: Telegraph."
"Say it with Flowers."
"Don't Ask If, Ask Which."
"Watch Your Bark."
Voiceover/Dialogue:
"In firearms, it's [the thing which attracts the customer] the lifetime of fun a customer will get shooting a precision-made gun."
"Always been a rabbit man myself Bill, thought I might like to shoot ducks for a change. What do you recommend? Well, if you're after ducks, I'd recommend a 12 gauge, full-choke gun with a 30-inch barrel. . . Here's a precision made gun that will give you a lifetime of shooting fun Mr. Jackson. . . The kind of gun that well gives you a real thrill to shoot. . . .Lets you reach right out where you can get 'em. . . . I've got a shell here that gets there hard and fast with a perfect pattern every time."
many brochures; many trade magazines;
strange wake-up scene with smoky effects
SALESMEN SALES TRAINING SALESMANSHIP MEN WHITE COLLAR WORKERS LABOR SMOKE SLEEP WAKING UP SPECIAL EFFECTS SIGNS SLOGANS GUNS ARMS GUN DEALERS
<BR>
Reviews
Reviewer:
Dodsworth the Cat
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
December 3, 2022
Subject: How Does He Know?
Subject: How Does He Know?
Elma Wheela (as the guy keeps calling him), America's No. 1 Salesman, spiels that a toaster will make toast a way a husband likes it.
How does Elmer know how someone likes their toast?
Well, I guess they are people who lap up any kind of sales pitch. None of the principles he pushes have changed since this short was made.
Elmer Wheeler was kind of a 1940s Tom Vu. He made appearances all over the US in seminars selling his 16-week course on salesmanship. One of his consulting clients was Remington-Rand and, no doubt, this was made for showing to the company's salesmen. In the '50s, Wheeler sold a book on dieting, with lighthearted ads about the steak, instead of sizzle, he consumed. (As you might expect, Elmer Wheeler's number one product was Elmer Wheeler).
But getting away from all that, this film has an interesting approach by Jam Handy writer Tom Monroe treating the scenario as a dream (complete with dry ice blowing around and a kind of futuristic set by Charles Nasca). The short isn't altogether serious. Sam Benavie, Jam Handy's staff company, comes up with appropriate eerie organ music.
How does Elmer know how someone likes their toast?
Well, I guess they are people who lap up any kind of sales pitch. None of the principles he pushes have changed since this short was made.
Elmer Wheeler was kind of a 1940s Tom Vu. He made appearances all over the US in seminars selling his 16-week course on salesmanship. One of his consulting clients was Remington-Rand and, no doubt, this was made for showing to the company's salesmen. In the '50s, Wheeler sold a book on dieting, with lighthearted ads about the steak, instead of sizzle, he consumed. (As you might expect, Elmer Wheeler's number one product was Elmer Wheeler).
But getting away from all that, this film has an interesting approach by Jam Handy writer Tom Monroe treating the scenario as a dream (complete with dry ice blowing around and a kind of futuristic set by Charles Nasca). The short isn't altogether serious. Sam Benavie, Jam Handy's staff company, comes up with appropriate eerie organ music.
Reviewer:
JayKay49
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
February 3, 2013
Subject: Ugh! To Be A Salesman
I'd rather suck out septic tanks.
One thing they bring up here is that business about knowing your product. I very rarely see that today. For whatever reason, it is highly unusual to find salespeople that know diddly about what they are selling - especially the dolts that work at Home Depot and Radio Shack. In the latter store, they don't even know if they have the product or where the heck it is.
A very good Jam Handy production with good acting and a good story line. Depressing topic, though.
Subject: Ugh! To Be A Salesman
I'd rather suck out septic tanks.
One thing they bring up here is that business about knowing your product. I very rarely see that today. For whatever reason, it is highly unusual to find salespeople that know diddly about what they are selling - especially the dolts that work at Home Depot and Radio Shack. In the latter store, they don't even know if they have the product or where the heck it is.
A very good Jam Handy production with good acting and a good story line. Depressing topic, though.
Reviewer:
insurance online
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
January 13, 2008
Subject: Guns
Subject: Guns
Reviewer:
norton67
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
January 13, 2008
Subject: Guns, Motorcycles ....
Subject: Guns, Motorcycles ....
... what are ya talkin' about ? I couldn't watch all of this clip cuz I ran out to buy a porcelain washer !
seriously tho, it was pretty good.
seriously tho, it was pretty good.
Reviewer:
Framan
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
October 7, 2007
Subject: Entertaining and informative
Subject: Entertaining and informative
Selling principles haven't changed over the last 70 years. Everything in this movie is still just as applicable today. The main actor was outstanding in his professionalism. Yes, the 1950's setting is a little "out there" but it was entertaining. Who would have thought that a movie could be enjoyable and educating at the same time?
Reviewer:
doowopbob
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favorite -
October 7, 2007
Subject: History Teacher Flunks!
Subject: History Teacher Flunks!
History Teacher In 2004 Said....He Knew All About Guns & Motorcycles........All An Ego Trip........Well The History We Were Taught Was Always Nonsense Like His Statements.....Women Need Guns Today!....And We Ride Motorcycles To Save Gas....Glad He Never Taught My Kids!..........Oh Film Is Stupid Too!
Reviewer:
HistoryTeacher
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
October 25, 2004
Subject: At the end of the day, firearms ARE just another product...
Subject: At the end of the day, firearms ARE just another product...
Before my teaching career, among other things I was a gunsmith and counter sales clerk in a gun shop. Primarily, a gun shop is a toy store for overgrown boys, and more than any other business I have been around, it resembles a motorcycle dealership. It is indeed more about "sizzle than steak", because in most cases you are selling ego toys rather than serious tools. Generally, people dont make their living with a gun anymore than they commute to work on their motorcycles (I was an exception in both cases). So, when you see a gun shop, think "toy store" and you will have about the correct impression. I could write a sitcom around the people and events in such places. Ah, the folly of ego...
Anyway, it is a neat movie that indeed points out that selling guns is essentialy no different than selling any other item that is purchased with discressionanry funds and in which people think they know far more about the subject than they actualy do.
Anyway, it is a neat movie that indeed points out that selling guns is essentialy no different than selling any other item that is purchased with discressionanry funds and in which people think they know far more about the subject than they actualy do.
Reviewer:
HuckleberryFinn
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
April 12, 2004
Subject: SELL MORE GUNS
Subject: SELL MORE GUNS
Bizarre dreamlike film in which a gun dealer learns how to move more firearms. Most of the info is applicable to small business in general, which makes it even more bizarre that guns were chosen as the merchandise for this tutorial.
4 stars for...well...showing us how to provide people with guns in exchange for currency...I guess.
4 stars for...well...showing us how to provide people with guns in exchange for currency...I guess.
Reviewer:
Spuzz
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
November 26, 2003
Subject: None of your business, Billy Boy.
Subject: None of your business, Billy Boy.
Ultrabizarre 'dream' movie with the ultratalented Clark Howat (who played the head cop in Billy Jack, I looked him up) playing 3 roles! Bill, his better self, and his subconscious self! Along with the ride are Hardware talking head Rivers Petersen and "America's Greatest Salesman" Elmer Wheeler!.
After a great marquee beginning, we step into Bill the salesman's dream. Everyone around him thinks he's having trouble selling guns and other hardware supplies (like hunting jackets and pressure cookers!) So Wheeler gives him his 5 points to make good sales, including 'Sell the Sizzle, not the steak!" We see some case studies of Bill's work, but curiously, these are all GOOD examples of his work. If they were concentrating on how bad his work is, wouldnt they give some BAD case studies? Love the sets too. It all ends with Bill waking up and saying to the Camera, "And how did you sleep tonight?" Uhhhhhh... What does THAT mean?
After a great marquee beginning, we step into Bill the salesman's dream. Everyone around him thinks he's having trouble selling guns and other hardware supplies (like hunting jackets and pressure cookers!) So Wheeler gives him his 5 points to make good sales, including 'Sell the Sizzle, not the steak!" We see some case studies of Bill's work, but curiously, these are all GOOD examples of his work. If they were concentrating on how bad his work is, wouldnt they give some BAD case studies? Love the sets too. It all ends with Bill waking up and saying to the Camera, "And how did you sleep tonight?" Uhhhhhh... What does THAT mean?
Reviewer:
dynayellow
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
September 16, 2003
Subject: Salesmanship for Columbine
Subject: Salesmanship for Columbine
A film with some good old-fashioned info on how to be a better salesman, made funny by the fact that 1) it's set in the 50s dreamworld and 2) it's about guns.
Ah, for the days when people could just set up displays of rifles and shells in their plain-glass windows, and probably go home at night, leaving the door unlocked. These days I'm not even sure if they let you handle the rifle without tripping the silent alarm.
Bonus points: A woman in her underwear shows up halfway through. Just because...
Ah, for the days when people could just set up displays of rifles and shells in their plain-glass windows, and probably go home at night, leaving the door unlocked. These days I'm not even sure if they let you handle the rifle without tripping the silent alarm.
Bonus points: A woman in her underwear shows up halfway through. Just because...
